Assessment of Skills Development in Brunei Trainee Teachers: Intervention Implications

Abstract

Teacher education has been innovated in Brunei to support the ongoing inclusive education and curriculum reforms. This survey investigated the development of essential instructional skills in initial Brunei trainee teachers. The sample consisted of 109 student teachers (71 females and 38 males). Significant mean scores (Mean ≥ 4, p< .05) and 95% confidence intervals were used to identify the levels of proficiency and enablers of success in teaching. Participants were proficient on 15 of the 28 skills measured by the Teacher Behaviors Checklist (Approachable; Confident; Effective communicator; Encourages; Enthusiastic; Flexible; Good listener; Humble; Prepared; Professional; Rapport; Respectful; Sensitive; Striving to be a better teacher; Understanding). From independent groups, T-tests and One-Way ANOVA analyses, other significant trends in participants' performance emerged at p< .05 level of evaluation. Females scored highest on Humble and Realistic expectations while males scored highest on Understanding. Trainee teachers aged 31-35 scored highest on: Promoting critical thinking; and Providing constructive feedback, than counterparts. Participants with higher degrees (e.g. Master of Arts) scored higher on Authoritative skills than those with lower degrees (e.g. Bachelor of Arts). Trainees with teaching experience scored significantly higher on: Accessible; Knowledge about the subject matter; and Technological competence, than those with no experience. The findings suggest the need to help pre-service teachers to gain proficiency in all teacher skills to improve the quality of education in the country. Further research was recommended.

English Trainee Teachers’ Perspective on Soft Skills Development in Ukraine

“…The results of the current study show similarity with the previous research conducted by Mundia (2020). Its participants, who were trainee teachers, also considered themselves competent in listening to others and showing respect.…”

“…The empirical data showed that the most developed skills, in students' opinion, are critical thinking and problemsolving. Mundia (2020) investigated the development of essential instructional skills in initial Brunei trainee teachers. One of the research objectives was to determine the skill areas in which Arab World English Journal www.awej.org ISSN: 2229-9327 303 pre-service teachers considered themselves competent.…”

Implementation of Authentic Assessment on Mathematics Teaching: Study on Junior High School Teachers

“…Assessment plays a vital role in education because it is used to identify what teachers must do to improve and develop students' abilities (Darling-Hammond et al, 2020;Puspitasari, 2016). Also, assessment is one of the five important classroom learning components (Mundia, 2020). Teachers and their activities are the most crucial variables in the learning scheme (Ahmad, 2020).…”